It’s becoming clear we’re in this for the long haul. So here’s some advice from GC’s, as reported by Law.com, for overcoming challenges while workers are spread out. 

• “Encourage people to take care of themselves, be sensitive to how people are reacting [to working at home], encourage them to make it a peaceful, comfortable environment. Take time to go for a walk, or clean up around you if that’s what you need. And overcommunicate with teammates.” -- Christina Ibrahim, general counsel of Weatherford International

• “We communicate exhaustively with our staff, clients, vendors, regulators, executive management and board. [It’s important] to ensure the human connection is maintained and enhanced during this strange period of social isolation.” -- Dave Hattem, chief legal officer of Equitable Holdings

• “It’s helpful in some contract negotiations, when normally we would meet in person, to do conference calls to finish up the details. After the first week I suffered some “home fatigue,” and I realized I need to take regular breaks, put up some boundaries so I don’t start early in the morning and work late into the night, make sure I eat and go outside to take short walks. It made a world of difference.” -- Adwoa Awotwi, general counsel of LocumTenens.org 

• “One thing that is more difficult is doing a workshop to work through an issue with a multidisciplinary team. Virtual tools can be used but are not a substitute for face-to-face interaction. The advising in a negotiation setting or in brainstorming for product development and the like is not the same.” -- Richard Nohe, general counsel of BT Americas, Inc.

• “Respect the fact that team members are moms and dads and spouses and children first. I made it clear that foremost they have to take care of themselves and their families, and then somewhere down the line they are members of this team.” -- Mark Smolik, general counsel of DHL Supply Chain